SPbGASU Postgraduate Student Evaluates Time-Yield of Concrete
Georgy Khrenov, postraguate student at the Department of Technology of Construction Materials and Metrology, works on concrete product failures and continuous off-shutter production methods when concrete mix squeezes out like a toothpaste.
Georgy Khrenov: ‘There are plants which use this method, but some questions are still open and they keep down efficient use of resources. I took interest in such production methods and constructed a concrete paver in a laboratory in 2016 when getting my Master’s degree. I started to make samples and faced several problems, one of which was distress in concrete mix when squeezing’.
Georgy Khrenov and Yury Pukharenko, his scientific supervisor and Head of the Department of Technology of Construction Materials and Metrology, found out that time-yield of concrete, its significant feature, has not been studied properly yet.
Georgy Khrenov: ‘The term appeared to be used is a wrong way or not used at all. Time-yield of concrete was not studied, measured and controlled – it is obvious from literature and patent survey. My research started from creation an instrumental base for this property investigation’.
As a result, maximum expansibility and a patented device for its measurement was introduced.
Georgy Khrenov: ‘Topic of my postgraduate research is the possibility to control time-yield of concrete without affecting other properties. Concrete mix sets without a cast or centering under continuous off-shutter production and it has an impact before setting. It is inevitable and may cause lots of defects. If we change concrete recipe the number of defects will be greatly reduced’.
The research has already caused interest from one of Saint Petersburg plants which has been suffering from defective products and losses for a long time. The student is confident about solving the problem. He is planning to elaborate detailed recommendations for concrete production technologists which will allow to control concrete recipe for each case.
Interviewed by Anzhella Semicheva
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